Runners wear their spookiest costume at the Chicopee Thriller 5K

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce hosted the third-annual Chicopee Thriller 5K on Saturday morning.

And the race was not just an excuse to dress up and take a 3.1-mile stroll in this beautiful weather, the organizers of the event chose a different nonprofit to benefit every year. And this Halloween, the Valley Opportunity Council was chosen because of all that they do for the community.

Half of the proceeds of the 5K road race and two-mile walk will go to the Valley Opportunity Council’s Continuing Education & Career Center to support the cost of their morning and evening ESOL and GED programs, according to the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.

“That program supports about 170 adults every year to get their GEDs, learn English as a second language, get other licensures so it’s really important that we support that developing workforce,” said Melissa Breor, Executive Director at the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.

Before the race began at the Grise Funeral Home on Springfield Street, a group of young talented dancers honed in on the theme by bringing everyone back to Michael Jackson’s thriller music video. Not every kid who dressed up came to spook out everyone with a dance though.

22News spoke to one of many who came to support their family member brave enough to run the race. Penny, who dressed up as a forest witch, just wanted to root for her dad.

“I don’t care what place he comes in I’m just happy he gets to do this,” she said. “I get to see what kind of candy I get and I can see all the costumes.”

There were awards for the best costume, individual and group, and the fastest runners in the women’s and men’s categories. Awards were also given at the afterparty at the Rumbleseat Bar & Grille included with all registrations.

The race was presented by N. Riley Construction along with other sponsorship support from the Holyoke Medical Center, The Polish National Credit Union, Valley Opportunity Council, Health New England, HUB Insurance Services, Beauty Batlles Lounge, and more.